PHS Home Makeover Update

By NICKI BRUCE LOGAN Lifestyles Editor

Published 6:00 am, Sunday, January 9, 2011

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The list compiled by Plainview High School Principal Lisa Kersh is staggering: Pages of items and names, many anonymous, of donors who contacted her when word of mouth - and a story written by Herald Managing Editor Doug McDonough - got around that a PHS student whose mother was undergoing chemotherapy needed assistance.

"It started out when Jan Cabler and D'Lee Powell visited their home before Christmas with the idea of providing a food basket for the holidays," Kersh explains.

After that visit when Cabler and Powell saw several needs in the home, word quickly spread with the school's staff and faculty offering help and solutions. Then, like ripples in a pond, family members and friends got involved.

"We didn't have to actually ask for specific things. People called and offered all kinds of help," explains Phoebe Jones.

The end result was a home and yard cleanup and renovation accomplished with a speed that was astonishing to everyone involved.

Kersh is quick to point out that the speed and scope of involvement were amazing, but she wasn't surprised by the outpouring of help coming from Plainview ISD employees.

"Teachers see the need in students every day and do their best to meet that need," Kersh says. "Our goal is to teach students, and when they are living in deplorable conditions where they don't have water to wash in, or live in houses without heat, it is hard for them to concentrate on learning. It is amazing how teachers and nurses and support staff quietly go about helping students throughout the year.

"Every year we look for families who are in need and ask around for suggestions. We had been aware of this mother's serious illness and knew that the father had died four years ago, but when the teachers visited the home, they saw that there was more support needed than a Christmas basket."

Kersh sent an e-mail to PHS staff listing some areas of need.

"Immediately, help poured in with everything provided from physical labor to securing materials to repair the house to appliances, furniture clothing," Kersh says. "Others offered dental care, food . . . when people know about a need, they want to help."

In talking about the amazing amount of support the family received, she mentions head football coach and athletic director Marcos Hinojos and the Bulldog football team which showed up to clean the yard from front to back, cheerleaders who provided cleaning supplies, Xcel Energy employees, motel owner G.K. Reddy who furnished room at the Holiday Inn Express for the mother and daughter to stay while the house was being renovated, 84 Lumber, farmers, churches, clubs, business owners . . .

Kersh runs out of words when describing the help that was volunteered without exception.

"Many people provided financial help, and most wanted to remain anonymous," she says.

"I want everyone to know that we appreciate every one, and also to know that it is not unusual for our teachers to help students and their families on an ongoing basis. We have many students with many needs. For our students, their school is their second home. Teachers have students (in their classes) in serious situations on a daily basis."

The help didn't stop with the renovation of the family's house. Kersh says the PHS staff is helping the pair find permanent solutions to their situation.

"They have a very limited income, a little Social Security from the father, but no other assistance. The mom is unable to work because of her health.

"They are receiving counseling support and help in transitioning to future independence."